Saturday, January 17, 2009

Obama Flip Flops On Killing Bin Laden, Says It Is No Longer Important

Barack Obama suggested last night that removing Osama bin Laden from the battlefield was no longer essential and that America's security goals could be achieved merely by keeping al-Qaeda "on the run".

"My preference obviously would be to capture or kill him," he said. "But if we have so tightened the noose that he's in a cave somewhere and can't even communicate with his operatives then we will meet our goal of protecting America."

His comments, in a CBS interview, represent a significant watering down of the "dead or alive" policy pursued by President Bush since the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. They also appear to contradict Mr Obama's own statements made in the election campaign.

The statement the Times is referring to happened during the second Presidential Debate on October 7, when Mr. Obama said (see at 2:04 in the video below).

"Ladies and Gentlemen, John McCain said he would follow Osama bin Laden to the gates of Hell. (scattered laughter) Well let me tell you something. President Barack Obama will follow him to where he lives and then send him to Hell."